Achieving small victories

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Author: Digital Wokan
Date:  
Subject: Achieving small victories
Already have those, Linux, Solaris, and Windows versions. Even snagged the
development version for OSX they had. Source tarballs, too. I'm trying to
get as comprehensive a collection as possible to make it as useful as
possible for users checking it out from a library. I might unzip the Windows
version and create an autorun to start it just to make it even easier on the
Windows users who are used to CD-based installs just popping up.

If we want to promote the software, we have to do more than just say "here you
go" and hope they can figure it out.

On Friday 12 July 2002 22:20, Matt Alexander wrote:
> openoffice.org has .tar.gz binaries which should work on all the platforms
> you listed.
>
> On Fri, 12 Jul 2002, Digital Wokan wrote:
> > Okay, this was not as easy a task as I expected. What I've run into so
> > far: 1. Mandrake and MadeInLinux are the only distros with RPMs available
> > on RPMFind.net.
> > 2. XimianGnome has an OOo RPM, which I assume will work well with RedHat,
> > but I didn't want to label the folder for that RPM for RedHat use.
> > 3. Debian packages are not ready either. (Some kind of issue regarding
> > stlport4/GCC2.x vs stlport4.5/GCC3.x.)
> > 4. I'm still hunting. Found the SuSE 8.0 RPM for OOo 641 on
> > ftp.sunet.se. Seeing if any others are there.
> >
> > On Friday 12 July 2002 11:46, Digital Wokan wrote:
> > > I like the OpenOffice CD idea the more I hear it. I'm going to start
> > > finding all the versions of OpenOffice I can (RPMs for each of the RPM
> > > distros, Debs, source, Windows, etc.) I've got the room to spare at
> > > the moment, and I'm on cable, so it's time I put the bandwidth to use
> > > for a good cause. (I'm guess Quake didn't fall into that category. :)
> > > )
> > >
> > > On Friday 12 July 2002 10:26, Matt Alexander wrote:
> > > > I see PLUG as having two major components. One, as a support group
> > > > for its members, and two, as an action group for promoting the use of
> > > > Free software in our community.
> > > >
> > > > Maricopa County is a good target, and I think we'll be successful,
> > > > but it's going to take some time. Right now, I think it's important
> > > > for us to also focus our energies on smaller fish. With enough group
> > > > participation, we should be able to have regular success stories at
> > > > each meeting. Maybe have a prize for the PLUG member that converts
> > > > the most organizations each month, like, say, a Delphi 5 CD for
> > > > Windows NT (you had to be at the meeting last night for this to be
> > > > funny... or not funny.). So, let's begin targeting various
> > > > organizations that would be relatively easy to migrate over to Free
> > > > software. Several non-profit organizations were mentioned last
> > > > night, so lets start with them. And as was mentioned last night
> > > > several times, getting Windows users comfortable with OpenOffice,
> > > > Mozilla, etc., will go a long way towards easing their transition to
> > > > Linux.
> > > >
> > > > -Libraries Part I
> > > > Make free CDs w/ software that runs on both Windows & Linux, such as
> > > > OpenOffice, Mozilla, Gimp, etc., available for checkout. Make it
> > > > clear that people can install this software without any licensing
> > > > restrictions on as many computers as they want to. Include PLUG info
> > > > with each CD, as well as brochures about PLUG on a stand by the
> > > > software. Does PLUG have any existing informational brochures? If
> > > > not, we need to create some. Any volunteers?
> > > >
> > > > -Libraries Part II
> > > > LTSP for computer labs.
> > > >
> > > > The libraries should be an easy way to prove the success of our
> > > > software/setup. We can then use the libraries as examples when
> > > > approaching other larger organizations.
> > > > Here is a possible outline for approaching local libraries (please
> > > > suggest any modifications for improvement):
> > > >
> > > > (1) Collect information on current software that can be checked out.
> > > > Collect information on current computing uses within the library.
> > > > (2) Contact libraries and discuss our purpose and motivations. Ask
> > > > if they'd be willing to accept free software donations for checkout.
> > > > (3) Discuss the possibilities of setting up a Linux Terminal Server
> > > > and several clients for use within the library. Explain the
> > > > benefits, etc. Give a demonstration. Explore options for any
> > > > additional hardware needs. (4) Setup an LTSP lab and give basic
> > > > training in administration and client-side use to the librarians.
> > > > (5) Be available for emergencies?
> > > >
> > > > We should be contacting as many small non-profits, schools, and other
> > > > financially strapped groups as possible, and hand them CDs with
> > > > OpenOffice, etc.
> > > >
> > > > As individuals, we should give (and help install) OpenOffice on any
> > > > computer that we can our hands on. Make it clear to the user that
> > > > they can (and should) install it on all of their additional
> > > > computers, and also encourage them to loan the CD to their friends
> > > > and families as well.
> > > >
> > > > ASU and the various community colleges in our area would be an
> > > > excellent venue for getting OpenOffice into more users' hands. Maybe
> > > > have CDs available in the bookstore? Maybe have CDs available in the
> > > > computer labs? Maybe instructors could give students the URL for
> > > > OpenOffice and encourage them to use it? Is there anyone that's
> > > > currently a student that has some good suggestions on getting more
> > > > students to use OpenOffice?
> > > >
> > > > Hand out OpenOffice CDs to your coworkers.
> > > >
> > > > Hans mentioned that he tried to apply for a job at Maricopa County,
> > > > but couldn't because of the outdated Acrobat plugin for Linux. Hans,
> > > > buddy, find a Windows system and apply. If you could get hired
> > > > working for the county, we'd be unstoppable. ;-) BWAAAHAAAHAAA!!!
> > > > ~M
> > > >
> > > > ________________________________________________
> > > > See http://PLUG.phoenix.az.us/navigator-mail.shtml if your mail
> > > > doesn't post to the list quickly and you use Netscape to write mail.
> > > >
> > > > PLUG-discuss mailing list -
> > > > http://lists.PLUG.phoenix.az.us/mailman/listinfo/plug-discuss
> > >
> > > ________________________________________________
> > > See http://PLUG.phoenix.az.us/navigator-mail.shtml if your mail doesn't
> > > post to the list quickly and you use Netscape to write mail.
> > >
> > > PLUG-discuss mailing list -
> > > http://lists.PLUG.phoenix.az.us/mailman/listinfo/plug-discuss
> >
> > ________________________________________________
> > See http://PLUG.phoenix.az.us/navigator-mail.shtml if your mail doesn't
> > post to the list quickly and you use Netscape to write mail.
> >
> > PLUG-discuss mailing list -
> > http://lists.PLUG.phoenix.az.us/mailman/listinfo/plug-discuss
>
> ________________________________________________
> See http://PLUG.phoenix.az.us/navigator-mail.shtml if your mail doesn't
> post to the list quickly and you use Netscape to write mail.
>
> PLUG-discuss mailing list -
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